The absence of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson from what has been, so far, the only nationally televised debate to focus solely on topics of interest of black Americans sends a very clear message that not only is the Republican Party not interested in courting the "black vote" but is not even willing to engage on issues of importance to African-Americans.

This goes beyond any one campaign. It is nothing less than a disgrace for the entire country. Is it any wonder that when Kanye West blurts out "President Bush hates black people" on national television that many black Americans nod their heads in agreement?

OK, Barry Goldwater said candidates should "go hunting where the ducks are." And sure, Richard Nixon was the last Republican presidential candidate to garner more than 12 percent of the black vote.

But Republicans' minority outreach, the illusion of inclusion, was aimed at white swing voters. Their message: We're not your father's Republican Party.

I was puzzled by the front-runners' snub so I turned to my mentor Milton Bins, a longtime GOP analyst and activist, who now lives in Florida off vote-rich I-4.

Milton said with the partisan divide widening, the hunt for independent voters would not yield very many votes in the general election. So Republicans are concentrating their fire on the party's white conservative base.

September 26, 2007

The leaves have begun to fall so you know what time it is: CBC Week (and here).

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 37th Annual Legislative Conference gets started today with a Future Focus series of discussions on affordable housing, mental and physical wellness, and education.

I believe that the time is now to provide an opportunity for our emerging leaders to be heard and I will ensure that the issues raised at the town hall are addressed by the candidates at each of the presidential debates hosted by the CBC.

September 25, 2007

Today, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold a hearing, "From Imus to Industry: The Business of Stereotypes and Degrading Images."

The hearing will focus on "the impact of racist and sexist language and images transmitted via interstate commerce and telecommunications modes, the perpetuation of damaging stereotypes and how best to protect consumers from the increasingly coarse and vulgar language and images that have the effect of undermining important moral values in our society. This hearing will explore these issues in the context of commercial hip hop music and video games, and their impact on popular culture and young people."

I respect the First Amendment, but rights without responsibility is anarchy, and that's much of what we have now. It's time for responsible people to stand up and accept responsibility.

There will be three panels: industry, artists, and women advocates, activists and academics. The witnesses include:

Panel IPhilipe P. Dauman, President and CEO, Viacom InternationalEdgar Bronfman Jr., President and CEO, Warner Music GroupDoug Morris, President and CEO, Universal Music GroupAlfred C. Liggins III, President and CEO, Radio One

The hearing is happening because the Women for Dignity and Diversity in the Media Coalition made it happen. For months, activists worked behind the scenes with Rep. Rush's staff to put racism and sexism in the media on the congressional agenda, as well as help identify witnesses.

We made history in Jena and will continue to do so. This is just the beginning, not the end.

In addition to pushing for a congressional hearing, NAN wants an investigation to determine whether there has been prosecutorial misconduct. If so, Walters should be held accountable just like the district attorney in the Duke lacrosse rape case.

There will also be a panel discussion entitled "Are Black and Brown Women Under Attack?" organized by Tamika Mallory, national director of the National Action Network Decency Initiative. Panelists will look at images in hip-hop, popular culture, and female interaction.

I'm one of the panelists. I will focus on the opportunities facing African American women. For instance, the popular culture image of black women for most of the 20th century was one of subservience and obedience to Miss Ann. In 2008, black women will determine whether Ms. Hillary wins the Democratic presidential nomination.